Can opener



M. 1.. HINER May 15, 1951 CAN OPENER Filed April 19, 1948 Maurice L Hiner IN VEN TOR.

Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAN OPENER Maurice L. Hiner, Ellensburg, Wash.

Application April 19, 1948, Serial No. 21,911

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to openers for cans that are rimless and is particularly adapted for use with metal cans such as milk containers, although it is obvious that the device may be applied to other types of cans as well.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a can opener that will seat against the sides of a container in non-slipping retention thereon while pressure is applied to the can piercing means.

Another object of the invention is to make use of the mechanical advantages obtained by the provision of a fulcrum for applying force in order to cut into a can.

And another object of the invention is to take advantage of the slightly overlapping construction of the cover of the container to retain the opener in position while piercing the top of such can.

And it is a further object of the invention to provide a device that is simple and durable in construction, economical in manufacture and highly efiicient in use.

Other objects and advantages will become ap parent during the course of the following description. In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and wherein like characters of reference denote like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention in position on a can;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the can opener, and

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical view of the device and is taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the figures, the opener of the invention is indicated generally by numeral I9 and is shown in Figure 1 as mounted on a suitable can I 2'. Can [2 is of the rimless type and includes an integral cover or top 14 projecting slightly beyond the outside perimeter of the can body 16, and is shown in somewhat exaggerated form in Figure 2 at 36.

Opener I is of two-part construction and includes a straight seating member I8 and a somewhat arcuately curved cutting member 20. Members l8 and 20 include a pair of lateral ears 22 and 24 respectively adjacent the upper lengths thereof and in complementary relation. \Ears 22 and 24 are suitably apertured at 26 and receive therethrough a double headed pivot pin or fulcrum 28. Thus, it is readily apparent that the can opener is adapted to pivot on pin 28 for piercing action.

In order to achieve such action, member '20 terminates in a lateral leg 30 on the upper edge thereof, leg 30 in turn including a down-struck piercing member or pin 32. Member I8 includes a pair of outwardly struck lugs 34 adjacent the upper surface for seating engagement below the projecting edge of cover M, as is clearly illustrated in Figure 2. 7

When in use, opener I0 is seated against the outer circumference of can [2, by means of member I8, which may be curved to conform to the curvature of the container and lugs 34 seat below cover edge M, at 36. Cutting lever 20 is then pivoted on transverse pin 28 until the cutting point 32 enters can I2, in the manner indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2. When the can has been punctured, pin 32 is released from engagement with cover It by reverse movement of cutting lever 20 and the device is then removed from the container.

It is readily apparent that the device is adapted to insure against accidental slipping from the sides of a container when in use, as is frequently the case with openers in use at present. Any suitable material may be employed in the construction of the device.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes in size, shape and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

A can opener for a rimless can having a slightly projecting cover comprising an elongated member adapted to seat against the side of the can, struck-out lugs on said member engageable with the projecting edge of the cover, an elongated cutting member, apertured lateral ears on each of said members, a transverse pin extending through said apertures for pivoted movement of said cutting member, a lateral leg integral on said cutting member and overlying said lugs, and a can piercing element depending from said lateral leg.

MAURICE L. I-IINER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,215,019 Hansen Feb. 6, 1917 1,612,910 Dowling Jan. 4, 1927 1,662,172 Schaefer Mar. 13, 1928 2,135,116 Shaffer Nov. 1, 1938 2,162,095 Maples June 13, 1939 2,374,783 Schillo May 1, 1945 2,396,806 Starrett Mar. 16,. 1946 

